A significant age difference and a sudden narrative shift mark the recent public controversy involving Hong Kong personalities Annie Choi and Rocky Cheng, highlighting the complex dynamics of celebrity relationships navigating intense media scrutiny. The initial buzz surrounding a purported romance between Choi, an actress, and Cheng, a fitness trainer 21 years her senior, quickly degenerated from an allegedly “pure love” story, initiated by Cheng’s seemingly unilateral admission of affection, into accusations of manipulative behavior.
The controversy began when rumors surfaced linking Choi and Cheng, who is widely known as Rocky. Cheng appeared to confirm the relationship to the media, generating considerable public interest and commentary, though Choi consistently maintained that she was single. Despite her denial of a romantic link, Choi spoke highly of Cheng, describing him as “the highest-scoring man she knows” among her acquaintances. She characterized their connection as an exceptionally close friendship, even using the term “very, very good friends,” and lauded Cheng’s character, stating, “I am very naive, but he is even more naive than me.”
However, the tone of the interaction dramatically changed following a cryptic post on Choi’s social media. In the post, she reportedly alluded to an individual feigning innocence while attempting to exploit friends, a statement widely interpreted by the public and media as a thinly veiled attack on Cheng, signaling an abrupt end to their close association.
Choi Firmly Denies Targeting Former Friend
In subsequent public appearances, Choi distanced herself unequivocally from any romantic involvement with Cheng, while specifically addressing the implications of her social media post. She denied that the post was aimed at Cheng, attempting to quell further speculation. Choi reiterated that their contact had been minimal, stemming only from a five-day training period during which they met just twice. She stressed that the nature of their relationship was strictly platonic, confirming that all contact ceased following the outbreak of the highly publicized dating rumors. Choi admitted she did not possess an intimate knowledge of Cheng’s true character due to their limited interaction.
Despite Choi’s emphatic efforts to draw a clear boundary, Cheng’s public behavior suggests lingering emotional investment. As of recent reports, the former bodybuilder’s social media biography on Instagram reportedly still contained a tag for Choi’s account, accompanied by a prominent red heart emoji, indicating an unreciprocated sentiment.
When pressed by reporters for comment regarding the ongoing speculation surrounding their personal dynamic, Cheng offered a brief, non-specific response, stating he would “only discuss professional matters, not private ones.”
This evolving interaction between the two celebrities underscores the challenging reality of maintaining personal privacy when subject to the amplifying and often distorting gaze of the entertainment media. For public figures, the distinction between a legitimate friendship and a perceived romantic entanglement can be easily blurred, with the slightest hint of intimacy rapidly escalated into a full-blown narrative. The incident serves as a stark reminder of how public perception can quickly shift from well-wishes for a new couple to pointed accusations, based purely on public statements and social media activity.
